Main
Wade Roberts
I have 10 years of experience conducting research independently and collaboratively. My current work heavily involves computational biology, but I also have previous experience as a field and wet lab biologist. My experience has resulted in strong expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, and phylogenetics. I have extensive experience generating and working with NGS and long read sequencing. I am highly skilled in data wrangling, statistical analysis, and data visualization using R (base and Tidyverse), Python, and the command line interface. I regularly design and execute workflows using R, Bash, and Slurm, with some experience using Snakemake. I strive for reproducibility and execute end-to-end reports and visualization using RMarkdown. For my career, I am focused on pursing my passion for applying genomics and computational biology to scientific discovery.
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
current - 2018
- Managed and lead multiple research projects into genome evolution and the transcriptomic response of diatoms to environmental changes. Expertise in genomic, metagenomic, transcriptomic, and phylogenomic approaches.
- Sequenced new reference genomes for 50+ species using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies. Increased the number of available genomes for diatoms 4-fold.
- Performed bioinformatic analyses and designed workflows to analyze genomic data from 280+ genomes and transcriptomes. Provided reproducibility, interpretation, and data visualization using R and Markdown. Expansive practical knowledge of current genomics software and methodologies.
- Used high-performance computing (HPC) servers and virtual compute nodes daily. Regularly used databases to manage and curate biological metadata.
- Reviewed scientific and technical writing for dozens of journal articles and SOPs. Communicated research to different audiences at conferences and journal publications.
Graduate Research Assistant
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
2018 - 2012
- Managed and lead multiple research projects in phylogenetics and the evolution of gene expression. Expertise in molecular genetics, plant biology, and phylogenetics.
- Designed experiments to sequence and analyze RNA-seq data collected across multiple developmental time points in 12 species.
- Performed bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses to gather, clean, and analyze publicly available genetic and trait data for 500+ species.
- Communicated research through presentations at national conferences and journal publications.
- Designed, built, and maintained in-house computing and storage servers.
Education
Ph.D., Molecular Plant Sciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
2018 - 2012
- Dissertation: Evolutionary genomics of flower diversification in Achimenes (Gesneriaceae)
B.S., Biology | B.A., Art
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA
2012 - 2007
Teaching and Outreach
myDiatoms
N/A
current - 2020
- A citizen science project to introduce students, naturalists, and the public to diatoms.
Genome Assembly Workshop
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
2023
- Designed from bottom up a course to teach all stages of genome assembly, annotation, and analysis.
- Covers raw data cleaning, assembly, contaminant removal, genome size estimation, ploidy estimation, and gene prediction. Uses R, Python, Bash, and Anaconda.
Northwest Arkansas Regional Science Fair
N/A
Fayetteville, AR
2023 - 2018
- Science project judging for middle and high school students.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
WSU Biology Department
Pullman, WA
2018 - 2013
- TA and lectured for 10 semesters.
- Courses included Intro Biology, Intro Botany, and Systematic Botany.
- Revised course materials with new activities to better engage students with active learning and focus on PNW flora.
Plant Science Day
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
2017 - 2016
- Co-chair, organizer, and exhibit lead. Provided learning activities about plant biology for local students and their families.